Too Much Partying

The husband thinks he has isolated the issue with the ground heater, but he has to wait for parts. He worked on it yesterday until it was time for us to go to the party. I ended up not wearing my sparkly green top; I put it on and wasn’t feeling the love. I think I might need to lengthen that Toaster sweater pattern after all. I wore a Burda 6315 tunic made from some Joanns rayon sweatshirt fleece in a bright grape color paired with my plain black Renee pants. Part of the reason was that I was chilly and that outfit was cozy, but I’m also trying to pay attention to what clothes I reach for over and over and why. I love the way that Burda pattern fits my upper body. Those tops settle nicely on my shoulders and I am not constantly tugging at and adjusting them. The armscye and sleeve cap fit well together and there is no excess fabric in my armpit.

[I’d like to find a better term than “sweatshirt fleece,” because that makes it sound casual and sloppy. Rayon sweatshirt fleece fabrics tend to be more polished. This one certainly was dressy enough for a party, albeit a party in Montana and not Seattle.]

We enjoyed ourselves at the party. The food was amazing. One of the mixer drivers is from the Philippines and he brought homemade egg rolls and some adobo chicken that was delicious. (I asked—he said the chicken was his mother’s secret recipe.) I am trying to be careful about what I eat, but after two Christmas parties in three days, my digestive system is complaining a bit. I might have to stick to salads for dinner this week.

I went back to the furniture store yesterday morning and found a plain vanilla La-Z-Boy recliner in dark brown leather. The store is sending a delivery truck on Tuesday to bring that one and pick up the electronic recliner. We have bought quite a bit of furniture at this store over the years and it’s because they are local and the service is excellent.

So, I am looking at my calendar for the week. With the exception of two meetings tomorrow and a possible Serger 101 class Wednesday night—although no one has yet signed up—I have nothing on the schedule. I am going to try my utmost to keep it that way. I plan to hole up here, avoid people, and attempt to move some of my projects forward. Maybe I will even get the tomatoes processed, two months late. We’re running out of salsa, so I’m feeling the need to get that done.

I have to get this clothing manufacturing itch under control, though. The ability to make clothing that fits me well is heady stuff. I made a pile of the projects I want to prioritize. Each fabric has a pattern paired with it:

That sweater knit on top is another Walmart mystery fabric. It is destined to be a Harper cardigan, although I want to make one of the longer versions. I think that was a three-yard piece, so I have plenty.

I’ll have a marathon cutting session and set the projects aside to work on as I have time. I’ve also got another Liz Claiborne top I want to deconstruct. That one has a lovely pleat detail at the neckline, but I don’t wear it often because it is too short. I’m going to take it apart and make a pattern from it. Better to put it to use that way than to let it languish unworn.

I need to stop going through the stash and fondling fabric, because all that does is generate more frankenpatterning ideas.